Islam and its Contribution to Knowledge

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"Read — for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One who has taught (man) the use of the pen — taught man what he did not know!" Quran - Surah 96:1-5

slam in itself is not just a religion: It is a set of principles that informs a way of life - as quoted by Samantha Joseph on Page 2 of New Straits Times - Post Graduate & Professional Development 15 March 2011. This is certainly a refreshing opinion given that many modern day professionals have forgotten the contribution that the Islamic civilisation has offered. It is also refreshing to know that many tertiary institutions, mostly universities globally have adopted Islam as the all encompassing guide to knowledge.

The image above highlights the various prominent Islamic tertiary education programmes across the globe: From the western University of California to the eastern University of Tokyo; from the northern University of Aberdeen to the southern University of Melbourne; all offering Islamic Studies that includes studies on Middle East, Islamic Finance and Islamic Law (Syariah).

Samantha further explained that Islamic perspective remains relevant to the modern world particularly on the politics and economics of the current world. After all, when the western world was in its dark ages, Islam stood as the most effective society structure that promotes law and order and the blooming of knowledge. Many applied knowledge in the modern technology originated from the Islamic civilisation. Some of the examples are:

1. Ibn Sina (Avicenna) (see picture of his statue) for his awareness of infectious diseases and systematic experimentation

2. Al-Razi (Rhaze) for his comprehensive study of medicine

3. Al-Zahrawi (Albucasis) for the first illustrative literature on physical surgery

4. Al-Khawarizmi for introducing Algebra

5. Al-Kirmani for introducing Trigonometry

6. Al-Hazen for discovery of optic and its relation to light

Samantha also shared in her article that the Muslims were the first to implement mental institutions and the modern practice of giving out doctorates can be traced back to the Arabic "Ijazat attradis wa-'lifttd" (license to teach), which was given out by the oldest university in the world, the University of Al Karaouine in Morocco. The Islamic civilisation was also thought to have been the first to introduce the concept of 'hospitals', 'quarantine' and 'dentistry'.

Many Malaysians (particularly the Muslims) believe that Islamic studies will only end up with a job that is not as interesting as other faculties such as in Jabatan Kemajuan Islam (JAKIM) or Yayasan Dakwah Islamiah Malaysia (YADIM). This is not true. There are many aspects of Islamic studies that go beyond the conventional "Ulamak" type jobs. For example, Islamic Finance can get a graduate a job with the likes of CIMB, Maybank, RHB or even international banks like Standard Chartered or HSBC. It is no surprise especially when the world economy sees Islamic Finance as a more stable and less risky model relative to that applied by conventional banking. Courses like Islamic Law certainly offers a wide range of career that includes judiciary, legal, academia and research.

Islamic approach to knowledge incorporates elements of honesty and fairness. For example, Islamic Finance uses 2 principles: (1) Sharing of profits and (2) Prohibition on collective payment of interests. Such fairness promotes well being of humanity. A truely comprehensive approach in balancing between specific subject matter with its impact to the overall life in general. The Muslims believe that not only such approach brings betterment to lives in this world, it also promises the same in the after-life.

Islam and its holy scripture, the Quran, is inseparable. To assess an Islamic approach would mean that the Quran must also be considered. There have been many studies done on the Quran and some findings (but not limited to) that are specific to 'knowledge' are as follows:

Surah 96:1-5 - The first revelation received by the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh). It says: “Read — for thy Sustainer is the Most Bountiful One who has taught (man) the use of the pen — taught man what he did not know!”

Surah 2:151 - Prophet's famous prayer to God: “Allah (God) grant me knowledge of the ultimate nature of things”

Surah 39:9 - “Can they who know and they who do not know be deemed equal?” and exhorts believers to pray for advancement in knowledge. Further, the Quran exhorts believers not to pursue that of which they have no knowledge since God will hold them accountable for actions which reflect a lack of knowledge.

Surah 9:122 - According to Quranic perspective, knowledge is a prerequisite for the creation of a just world in which authentic peace can prevail. The Quran emphasises the importance of the pursuit of learning even at the time, and in the midst, of war. It says: “With all this, it is not desirable that all of the believers take the field (in time of war). From within every group in their midst, some shall refrain from going to war, and shall devote themselves (instead) to acquiring a deeper knowledge of the Faith, and (thus be able to) teach their home-coming brethren, so that these (too) might guard themselves against evil”

Surah 58:11 - “God will exalt by (many) degrees those of you who have attained to faith”

The above Quranic quotations were published in The Express Tribune, July 6th, 2010.


Samantha further reported that the Golden Age of Islamic Civilisation was consolidated in the 12th century in Baghdad. This consolidation of knowledge also includes knowledge that originated from non-Muslims (also known as the 'Protected People' commonly known in Arabic as "Dhimmi"). Such sincere compilation of knowledge denotes the fairness of the Islamic civilisation in ensuring knowledge is protected regardless of its origin. This consolidation process involved translation of manuscripts from Greek to Sumerian into Arabic. It was also systematically referenced. It was comprehensive in that anyone who wanted to acquire knowledge in its profound state would need to learn Arabic.

Samantha ended her article by saying "The current feel towards Islamic-based studies signify positivity, with many major universities catering to the hunger for more knowledge not just about the religion, but also the practical application of its principles"

What an inspirational closing by Samantha. Referring to the picture of the globe with highlights on Islamic tertiary courses as appeared in Samantha Joseph's article "An ethical alternative" on Page 2 of New Straits Times - Post Graduate & Professional Development on 15 March 2011, listed below (not in any particular order) are the courses available for all to embrace:

1. University of California, Los Angeles - MA in Islamic Studies
2. New York University - MA in Middle East & Islamic Studies
3. Yale University - PhD in Islamic Studies
4. University of Aberdeen, Scotland - MBA in Islamic Banking & Finance
5. University of London - LLM in Islamic Law
6. University of Exeter - MPhil PhD in Arab & Islamic Studies
7. Leiden University - MA in Islamic Theology
8. University of Vienna - MA in Islamic Studies
9. Cairo University (photo) - PhD in Islamic Phylosophy
10. Osmania University, Hyderabad - MA in Islamic Studies
11. University of Madras - MA in Islamic Studies
12. University of Malaya - Master in Syariah & Law
13. University Malaysia Sabah - Doctorate of Islamic Studies & Law
14. University of Melbourne - MA in Islamic Studies
15. University of Sydney - MA in Arabic & Islamic Studies
16. University of New England - MA in Islamic Studies
17. University of Tokyo - MA in Islamic Studies

Surah 58:11 - “God will exalt by (many) degrees those of you who have attained to faith”

* kopihangtuah



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